“Congratulations to Lucy Powell and commiserations to Bridget Phillipson. It was a hard-fought campaign, but this must now mark the beginning of an urgent turnaround. This is the chance for the party and the government to have a total reset. Nothing less will do.
“Ministers must get back to doing what Labour governments should be doing. That’s improving the lives of working people, rebuilding public services and pushing for a more equal society.
“The government also needs to start shouting about its successes. The employment rights bill could be a game-changer for working people, but there’s hardly been a peep about it from ministers.
“Lucy Powell has a tough act to follow in Angela Rayner, who was a strong voice for working people and their unions.
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public and private sectors.
Media contact:
Anthony Barnes E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk M: 07834 864794
